ARKANSAS WEDDINGS: THREE-IN-ONE COLLECTION

by Shannon Taylor Vannatter

  Adrea plucked a piece of lush grass and twirled it between her fingers. “Two weeks before the wedding, Wade was upset because I couldn’t have dinner with him on his birthday. I had two weddings and a funeral, but I managed to finish up earlier than expected and decided to go to his apartment to surprise him.”

  “And?” Grayson prompted.

  “Um…he wasn’t alone.” She blushed again.

  “I see.”

  “Of course, he said she meant nothing to him.”

  “You must have been very hurt.”

  She nodded. “I called off the wedding and Wade started drinking, on what should have been our wedding day. Valentine’s Day.”

  He shuddered. “Adrea, it wasn’t your fault. The only one at fault was Wade. You didn’t put the bottle in his hand.”

  “I might as well have. If I’d married him, Sara would be alive and Wade would be fine.”

  He touched her forearm and offered his hand.

  She settled on the bench beside him. “You don’t understand. He ran the red light because he was drunk. Because I broke up with him. That’s why Sara died.”

  Gently, he placed both hands on her shoulders.

  Shocked at his touch, her eyes met his.

  “Let’s get one thing straight. You had no part in Sara’s death or Wade’s condition.”

  She didn’t respond.

  “You were right in breaking off the engagement. He cheated on you. And besides that, he’s the one who made the decision to get drunk and then get behind the wheel.”

  He caught a tear as it trickled down her cheek. “What started Wade drinking this last time? Do you know?”

  “He confessed to his pregnant fiancée about Sara. She aborted his baby.”

  Grayson’s gut clenched. How could anyone do such a thing? Concentrate on helping Adrea. “So, it was her fault he started drinking again.”

  “Of course not.”

  “Why not? If the accident is your fault, then this other girl must be responsible for this binge. If he’d killed anyone this time, it would’ve been her fault. We might as well blame her for his attempted suicide, too.”

  Adrea shook her head. “Even though I don’t condone what she did, you can’t blame Shell for any of this. I mean, she’s never been my favorite person, but Wade’s bad choices aren’t her fault.”

  “Then I’m at fault for his suicide attempt. Meeting me pushed him over the edge.”

  “No, you can’t think that.”

  “Why? If the accident was your fault?”

  She grasped his meaning and her eyes lit with hope.

  Point made, he let go of her. “I’m sorry he caused you so much heartache. But no more guilt about this; you’re not to blame.”

  “I was with him, just before he shot himself.” She swallowed hard. “After you and Mark left, he ran out of the church and took Helen’s car. She asked me to follow him, so I did. He told me about the accident and his confession, then promised to turn himself in. When I was leaving, I heard the shot. I found him.”

  “I heard.” He cupped her face in his hands. “I’m so sorry.”

  “I shouldn’t have left him alone. I should have sensed his plans.”

  “Stop taking the blame for things he did that you couldn’t have stopped if you’d tried.”

  She nodded.

  His hands dropped away from her.

  “I should have told you. I’m sorry you had to hear it from Sylvie.”

  “Your past is really none of my business.” He wanted it to be, along with her future, but he couldn’t take the risk.

  She swallowed hard. “I hope Sylvie won’t tell Helen about the baby. Wade planned to marry Shell, then tell her.”

  “I’ll have a talk with Sylvie. We need to have a discussion anyway.”

  She stood. “I need to get back to the shop.”

  “I’ll walk you to your car.”

  “I’m fine. Really.” She hurried away.

  He wanted to follow, but his feet wouldn’t obey. He dug a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the dust off Sara’s headstone, until the marble shone like polished glass.

  On Sunday, with Mark handling the sermons, Grayson sat beside Helen, with Adrea seated on the other side of her. His attentiveness to Wade’s grieving mother increased Adrea’s respect for him.

  A hush hung over the congregation. Not everyone knew of Wade’s confession, but everyone seemed to feel the tension. After the altar call and closing prayer, Mark turned the service over to Grayson.

  “I have an announcement to make.” He took a deep breath. “As many of you know, Sara’s case has been solved.”

  Audible gasps moved across the congregation and then shushed whispering.

  “An individual came forward to claim responsibility. Police checked out his story, and it will hit the papers tomorrow. Helen and I want you to hear it from me.” Grayson swallowed. “Wade Fenwick was responsible for the accident.”

  More gasps and whispers.

  Adrea squeezed Helen’s hand.

  “Helen wanted to leave the church, but I hope I’ve changed her mind.” He rested his hand on the older woman’s shoulder. “It’s been rough, but we’re supporting one another and relying on God to get through this. We both need everyone’s love and prayers and we don’t need any gossip.”

  Maybe it was Adrea’s imagination, but Grayson’s eyes seemed to pause on Sylvie Kroft for a moment. The redhead looked down.

  One of the deacons came to Helen and hugged her. Other members followed suit.

  Tears blurred Adrea’s vision at the show of Christian love for a wounded member of the body of Christ.

  July 4th, one of the biggest days for the shop. Red, white, and blue carnations perfumed the air. As she completed the fifteenth patriotic arrangement, the showroom door opened.

  “Adrea?”

  She jumped at the sound of Grayson’s voice. Heart thumping, she turned to see him standing behind her. “Did I forget an order?”

  “No.” Grayson buried his nose in a lush, lacy red blossom. “But these are lovely, as usual.”

  “It’s a very busy day.” Adrea turned away, hoping he’d take the hint.

  “I wanted to talk to you.”

  “Oh,” she squeaked.

  “Adrea, let me be honest with you.” He paused a moment, as if gathering courage. “Since the day we met, I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time thinking about you. As we spend more time together, getting to know each other, I think about you even more.”

  “Oh,” she echoed herself, again unable to form more than the single intelligible word.

  “I haven’t thought of anyone other than Sara for years, but recently a raven-haired beauty, with the darkest blue eyes I’ve ever seen, occupies my thoughts.”

  “I’m sorry.” Stupid, but the only thing she could think of to say.

  “Don’t be. I thought when we were first getting to know one another that you might be interested in me as more than a pastor. But then you began trying to avoid me until Helen’s injury and Wade’s confession.”

  I tried, but you always managed to show up. Her brain caught up with him and the meaning of his words sank in.

  “I avoid you, because thinking of you as only my pastor is difficult.”

  “Good, we’re on the same page.” The tension eased from his face. “It’s strange. The confession opened up wounds, but it also gave me closure. With Sara’s killer off the streets, I feel I can move on. You said it yourself; Sara would want me to be happy. Taking you out to dinner tonight would make me very happy.”

  “Okay.” Her voice quivered. “But can we make it another night?”

  “You have plans?” Disappointment resonated in his tone.

  “No, not at all. It’s just a really busy day here. I’ll probably have to work late.”

  “I’ll wait.”

  And she knew he would. Her heart fluttered.

  “This may sound crazy.” He grinned. “But I feel the need to be at eas
e. Some fancy place would probably make me nervous. How about Colton’s Steakhouse over in Searcy?”

  She grinned. “Sounds great. But what about Dayne?”

  “Grace and Mark are taking him to a fireworks display at Harding University. I’ll pick you up at seven o’clock? Is that late enough?”

  “Perfect.” In every way.

  Grayson brought the back of her hand to his lips. “See you tonight.”

  Her breath hitched and shivers danced over her skin.

  Barely able to function, she heard the showroom door open and close.

  “What was that all about?” Rachel’s words interrupted Adrea’s thoughts.

  “Nothing.”

  “Don’t ‘nothing’ me.” Rachel flashed a knowing smile. “It was definitely something.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Because he’s been coming here for over six years, but today, he asked to see you. And you’re positively radiant.” Rachel pointed a long-stemmed red mum at her. “Mum’s the word. I’ll even think of something to tell the salesclerks. They’re busy with other customers, but curious. Now, spill.”

  Her face warmed. “As a matter of fact, we’re going out to dinner tonight.” Adrea stuck a leftover blue carnation behind her ear.

  “Well, glory be.” Rachel clapped her hands.

  “What should I wear when going on a date with my pastor?” “Hmm. Been there, done that. I can provide excellent advice.”

  The humid weather dictated Adrea’s attire. Wearing jeans and a purple top, she was glad to see that Grayson had dressed equally casual in an emerald button-down shirt—the exact color of his eyes—and khakis. Grayson Sterling had her full attention.

  Peanut shells crunched beneath the server’s feet as she brought their meal. Rawhide curtains graced the windows, with stuffed deer heads and razorback hogs mounted on the walls.

  Grayson asked the blessing, then cut into his steak.

  “Tell me how you and Sara met.”

  He paused to refold his napkin. “You really want to know?”

  “If you don’t mind talking about it.”

  “I can’t remember my life before Sara.” Grayson cleared his throat. “We lived in the same neighborhood. She and Grace were friends from the time they were toddlers, and we all went to the same Searcy school from kindergarten to graduation. Sara was just my sister’s friend, until we all turned sixteen. Out of the blue, I realized she didn’t seem like a little girl anymore.”

  “So the two of you shared a lifetime together, which made losing her doubly hard.”

  He touched her hand. “You’re incredible. Most women would be uncomfortable talking about my wife on a first date.”

  His simple touch turned her pulse erratic. “Sara will always be a part of you. You loved her and still do. I understand that and it doesn’t bother me. So, did you always know you’d be a pastor?” She took a bite of her loaded chicken. Mmm. Bacon, cheese, and mushrooms.

  “God called me to preach during my senior year. Sara went off to college and I enrolled at seminary.” He paused to wash down the steak with sweet tea. “We married about a year later. She never got her teaching degree. When she got pregnant with Dayne, she quit, which was exactly what her parents feared. We planned for her to go back to school eventually and finish, but she never got that chance.”

  “She was happy without it.”

  Grayson looked at her, his eyes full of questions.

  “According to Helen, and I could tell by the picture of her. Contentment radiated from her.”

  “Where did you see a picture?”

  “In the newspaper.”

  “Oh, I’d forgotten.” He traced the trickles of condensation on his glass with a fingertip. “Those days are still a fog for me.”

  “Over the years, I prayed for you and Dayne. I actually visited her grave once.”

  “You did?”

  “Just the one time, a few days after we met. I couldn’t get Sara off my mind. Then, I ran into you and Dayne in the park. Afterward, I ended up at the cemetery.”

  “Wow.” His voice was barely a whisper.

  “Sara’s parents didn’t hold it against you that she didn’t finish college, did they?”

  “Eventually, they realized Sara was happy as a wife and mother. We all thought she’d have plenty of time for college later.” He looked past Adrea, lost in thought for a moment. “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?”

  “This is our first date. I didn’t mean to talk about Sara tonight.”

  Adrea placed her hand over Grayson’s and her heart raced again. “Don’t apologize. I asked.”

  “Most women wouldn’t be so gracious. I knew you were special the first time we met. I can’t tell you how relieved I was to learn that Mark was your brother and not your husband.”

  “You had all kinds of misconceptions, didn’t you?” As an excuse to move her hand and calm her heart rate, Adrea took a long drink of iced tea. “Mark and I were the last ones in the nest, after Rachel married, so we grew especially close. Once I graduated from high school, we got the apartment together. For two years, we relied on one another.”

  “Then Mark left for seminary in Memphis. Must have been hard on you.”

  “Even though he came home most weekends, it was a lonely four years. What about your parents?”

  “Dad pastors at Thorndike here in Searcy.” Grayson pushed his salad plate away. “So, did you always want to be a florist?”

  “Actually, I wanted to be a vet, but I knew seeing hurt animals would tear me apart, so I settled for my second love of flowers.”

  “And your favorite is?”

  “Yellow roses.”

  Something near the door caught Grayson’s attention. “Great.”

  Chapter 8

  A drea looked up to see Sylvie Kroft and two new ladies from church. Shaking her head, Sylvie drew her new friends into a huddle. “I guess my little project didn’t work.” Grayson shook his head.

  “What project?”

  “I asked Sylvie to print up two hundred Church Covenant cards, including the part about abstaining from backbiting.”

  Adrea pushed her plate away. “I’d really like to go.”

  “Don’t let her ruin our evening,” Grayson said.

  “I’m not. I’m stuffed and you’re finished. I thought we might catch up with Dayne and watch the fireworks display.”

  “He’d love that.” He pulled out his wallet and laid several bills on the table.

  Adrea waited while he paid; then they stepped out into the humid evening. Again, Grayson took her hand in his and drew it to his mouth. As his lips brushed her skin, fireworks lit the sky. Just like the ones bursting in her heart.

  It was a funeral day. But Mrs. Haynes knew the Lord, her children were grown and settled, and she’d longed to meet her deceased husband in glory. That knowledge helped Adrea.

  With the rush of Independence Day orders over, Rachel had time to hang out in the workroom. “So did he kiss you?”

  “On the hand.”

  “That’s all?”

  “It was very sweet.”

  “Dating a preacher is kind of weird. I mean, they’re still men, you know.”

  Adrea relived the tingling sensation that had moved up her arm at the soft caress of his lips. “He’s definitely a man. I’ll admit, I looked forward to more than a kiss on the hand.”

  “So, you just ate and talked?”

  “Afterward, we went to watch the fireworks.”

  “Ooh, romantic.”

  “We met Dayne, Mark, and Grace there. Besides, half the town showed up.”

  “Leave it to my sister to squelch the romance.” Rachel rolled her eyes.

  “It was nice, and Dayne loved it.”

  Rachel checked her watch. “Time to open. I’d better go unlock the door.”

  While working on the casket spray, Adrea hummed “Blessed Assurance.” A few minutes later, Rachel returned, holding a long white box tied with
yellow ribbon.

  “What’s that?”

  “The competition sent you flowers.”

  As Adrea took the box, she noticed that it came from Crissy’s, a florist in Searcy. Anticipating the contents, she removed the ribbon and gasped at the dozen yellow roses inside. Catching her breath, she read the card:

  Sorry, I had to use the competition. Your favorite flower seems to imply I’m interested in only friendship. The complete opposite is true.

  Adrea smiled, but a niggling doubt tumbled in her stomach. “Do you think it’s too soon?”

  “That’s a hard question.” Rachel added a few more red carnations to a casket spray. “Different people heal at different rates. Old Mr. Adams married six months after his wife died and nobody thought a thing of it.”

  Adrea finished the final spray for Mrs. Haynes by weaving a red ribbon through the carnations and lilies. “It’s been almost two and a half years since Sara died.”

  “Just don’t let what other people think determine your life for you.” Rachel filled a tall crystal vase with water and put the yellow roses in it. “Let God determine if this thing with you and Grayson is right. As much as you two have been through, you both deserve happiness. And if you can take the tatters Wade left in his wake and mend it together, I say go for it.”

  “I just wonder sometimes if Grayson is really ready to move on. I mean emotionally.”

  “Apparently, he thinks he is. Just follow his lead.”

  Over the next few weeks, most of the new couple’s dates included Dayne and sometimes they borrowed Haylee. They enjoyed family gatherings at the apartment, barbecues and picnics, the stuff of Adrea’s dreams. Though, the events took place on the apartment lot, instead of in a backyard.

  At church, Adrea realized she and Grayson were a hot topic. A few bolder members of the flock congratulated the couple. At least some people approved.

  For Adrea’s birthday, August 15th, Grayson invited her to his house for dinner for the first time.

  “You have to see my room, Adrea,” Dayne piped up from the backseat.

  “I can’t wait. I used to play in these woods with Mark and the Williams’ grandson.” As they turned into the long, winding drive, Adrea’s childhood memories swirled.